FabricAir Dispersion Systems

The simple answer is “nothing”. A sock is a ventilation duct created in fabric instead of sheet metal or pvc pipe. The technology is widely used across the globe, which means it’s a technology with many names.

In Denmark, where the technology was first commercialized, it would typically be known as fabric ducts, fabric air dispersion, or textile-based ducting. Whereas the same technology is known as air socks or simply socks in North America and textile channels across Europe.

Regardless of which expression is used, fabric ductwork has unique technological characteristics that set the solutions apart from steel ducts, Spiro ducts and other HVAC ducts in sheet metal.

Condensation is a typical concern in HVAC ducting; however, socks do not have the same natural tendency toward sweating as other HVAC ducts do. Permeable textiles prevent the formation of condensation on the ductwork, which is why fabric ducting does not require insulation.

Eliminating the need for insulation provides significant time savings on a project, which naturally also affects the price. The savings potential also includes materials, and the transportation and storage of these during the building project.

Socks can be used everywhere where exposed ductwork would be applicable. Fabric air dispersion solutions are made from fireproof materials and all FabricAir textiles are UL certified. Fabric ducts can even be made from non-combustible fiberglass.

The efficient use of materials does not only affect the price of the air dispersion systems, but also means lower shipping costs. A textile-based ventilation solution fits into just a few boxes rather than the truck loads of materials required to create a metal duct solution.

The birthplace of fabric air ventilation ducts was a Danish meat processing plant. They needed a hygienic solution for their workspaces; one that would create a draft-free work environment without compromising product safety. Through this joint project, FabricAir became the first company to launch modern air sox. This was in 1973.

Since then, the technology has spread across the globe and more producers have joined the industry. Common for all is the desire to create HVAC ductwork in a better, easier and more flexible way to offer a more versatile alternative to steel ducting.

The hygienic nature of fabric ducts stems from the elimination of condensation, which in turn prevents bacteria, microbial growth and mold. Sox, like regular socks, can be machine washed if they get dirty; some textile ducts can even be autoclaved. That cannot be done with conventional ventilation ducting.

Finally, Fabric ductwork offers unique sound-technical properties, which means air socks are the better alternative in noise sensitive applications. FabricAir offers a LowNoise™ solution ideal in libraries, auditoriums, and the like.

Air socks do not require accessories such as grilles or diffusers, because the air dispersion happens throughout the length and circumference of the entire ductwork. Just like the socks that go on your feet, sox enable air diffusion through permeable fabrics, lengths of perforations or rows of flow models based on orifices or nozzles. In other words, the fabric ductwork breathes.

Due to the lightweight nature and flexibility of sox, the ductwork is much easier to install than steel ducts, spiral ducts and stock pipe or even pvc pipes, fiberglass duct board panels and aluminum ducts. The ease of installation entails significant savings on the man hours involved in the installation process, which naturally affects the price of the air duct solution. 

The price of a ventilation system in metal is typically five times as high as the price of an air sock solution. Thus, the savings potential in switching from metal to fabric is huge. The price difference is chiefly found in the man hours involved in creating and installing the HVAC solution. However, FabricAirdispersion technology also enables energy savings of up to 40% on the running costs of the system.

A conventional metal duct solution requires balancing and often also on site attenuation, insulation and painting. Fabric ducts are plug’n’play solutions that do not require any of these on site adjustments. Air sock systems are made to measure and ready to use straight from the shipping box.